By Muslimat Itopa
Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a business-friendly environment that will attract investments, create employment opportunities, and stimulate sustainable economic growth across the state.
The Governor made the pledge through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Focal Person and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Inda Salami, during the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Subnational Stakeholder Engagement Reforms Tour 2026 and Technical Workshop on Business-Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness held in Lokoja.
The high-level engagement brought together government officials, development partners, members of the private sector, business leaders, and investment stakeholders from across Nigeria to evaluate progress made in improving the ease of doing business at the state level and explore strategies for attracting more investments.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Governor Ododo, Focal Person and Chief Economic Adviser emphasized that the administration recognizes the critical role of a conducive business environment in driving economic prosperity, industrialization, job creation, and improved living standards for citizens.
He noted that the present administration has continued to implement strategic reforms designed to enhance regulatory efficiency, promote transparency and accountability, simplify government-to-business services, and create an enabling environment for private sector growth.
“The Ododo administration remains committed to positioning Kogi State as one of Nigeria’s most attractive investment destinations. Through strategic reforms and innovative policies, we are creating an environment where businesses can thrive and investors can confidently commit their resources,” Salami stated.
He disclosed that the state has made notable progress under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, moving from 36th to 30th position in national rankings on business environment performance.
According to him, the state has now entered the consolidation phase of its reform agenda with the development of the 2026 Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan.
The plan he noted is expected to further simplify business registration processes, improve access to land administration and documentation, strengthen public-private partnership frameworks, expand digital governance initiatives, and enhance investment promotion efforts.
Salami explained that Governor Ododo’s administration is pursuing reforms not only to attract new investors but also to support existing businesses operating within the state.
He revealed that the government has developed an investor aftercare programme aimed at providing continuous engagement with investors through efficient grievance resolution mechanisms, one-stop investment support services, and post-investment monitoring frameworks.
“The success of existing businesses is as important as attracting new investments. We are focused on creating a system where investors receive continuous support, enabling them to expand operations, create more jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy,” he added.
The Governor also highlighted ongoing efforts to facilitate business expansion through support for land acquisition processes, infrastructure development, and sustained public-private dialogue platforms designed to address operational challenges and encourage reinvestment.
The Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zarah Mustapha Audu, commended Kogi State for the progress recorded in improving its business climate and investment competitiveness.
She stressed that the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda depends largely on effective collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, particularly in implementing reforms that directly impact businesses and investors.
According to her, subnational governments play a critical role in determining the ease with which businesses operate and investments flourish across Nigeria.
She praised Kogi State’s commitment to reforms and urged the government to sustain the momentum by deepening institutional reforms and maintaining investor confidence.
“Kogi State has demonstrated commendable commitment to improving its business environment. Sustaining these reforms will be critical in unlocking greater economic opportunities, attracting investments, and driving long-term growth,” she said.
Other officials of PEBEC also praised the state’s efforts, describing Kogi as one of Nigeria’s most strategically located states with vast economic potential due to its position as a gateway linking the northern and southern parts of the country.
They encouraged the government to strengthen investment promotion initiatives through improved branding strategies, harmonized revenue collection systems, digital payment solutions, and the establishment of a comprehensive one-stop investment centre to ease business operations.
The workshop featured technical sessions and presentations on regulatory impact assessment, investment competitiveness, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the role of small claims courts in promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating efficient debt recovery for small businesses.
Participants expressed optimism that the reform-driven policies of the present administration would continue to unlock new economic opportunities, attract both local and foreign investments, stimulate industrial development, and strengthen Kogi State’s position as a preferred destination for business and investment in Nigeria.
Stakeholders noted that sustained reforms, combined with effective implementation and collaboration between government and the private sector, would be key to translating policy initiatives into tangible economic benefits for citizens.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to support ongoing business-enabling reforms and strengthen partnerships aimed at accelerating economic growth and enhancing Kogi State’s competitiveness in the national and global investment landscape.
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